Dead Man's Land Part 35

"I was thinking of that myself," said the doctor; "but from your description, Mark, I am afraid that we are too late."

"Yes," said Dean gravely; "I think he's dying."

"Why too late?" said Mark. "It's only a wound."

"Only a wound," said the doctor, smiling. "It must have been a very bad one."

"It's horrible," cried Dean.

"That's why I say that I'm afraid it's too late," said the doctor.

"These savage people, living their simple open-air life, heal up in a way that is wonderful. Nature is their great surgeon."

"Then why didn't this one heal up?" said Mark.

"I am not a surgeon," replied the doctor, "and I do not know what may be wrong, but I should say that the wild beast which seized him crushed some bone, with the result that splinters are remaining in the wound, causing it to fester. But we shall see."

"Then you will look, doctor?" cried Mark excitedly.

"Certainly, if I find our little patient amenable to treatment."

"Hurrah!" cried Mark. "When will you go?"

"The sooner the better. It rests with Sir James."

"Oh, I am ready," said Mark's father. "You had better see, boys, if Mak has had his share of our dinner, and send him on to say we are coming."

"That won't do, uncle," said Dean decisively.

"Why not?" asked Mark sharply.

"Mak must go with us. I am _not_ going to let uncle tramp in amongst those horrible trees without a guide."

"Quite right, Dean," said the doctor. "We must have Mak to lead the way, and let him be our amba.s.sador to this tribe of giants before we approach too near. We don't want them to take fright."

"Oh, I don't think they will," said Mark.

"I think quite the contrary," said the doctor, "for I believe a little tribe like this, who exist hiding in the forests, are always afraid of persecution by stronger people. There is such a thing as slavery."

"Oh, yes," said Mark hastily. "Come along, Dean; let's hunt out Mak."

There was no difficulty about that, for the Illaka had had his share of the dinner and was aiding his digestion by sleeping hard in the shade of one of the great trees at the edge of the forest, quite regardless of the cloud of flies that were buzzing about his head.

He sprang up at a touch from Mark, and seized his spear, but as soon as he was aware of what was required of him, he followed the boys to where the doctor and Sir James were waiting, the former having slung a little knapsack from his shoulders, at which the boys looked enquiringly.

"Are we going to take anybody else?" said Sir James.

"No, I wouldn't, father," cried Mark. "We shan't want protecting. They will know us again, and Mak will make them understand that you have come in peace. Besides, we have got our rifles, and I know if there is any danger Dean is such a fierce one that he could tackle the whole lot; couldn't you, old chap?"

"Don't chaff," said Dean seriously. "Go on, Mak."

And the black led the way onward along the edge of the forest till he reached the spot where he had dashed in after the pigmy.

"That isn't right," said Mark; but Mak only laughed and signed to them to come on, gliding in among the huge columnar trees for about half an hour, and in the most effortless way pressing on, looking back from time to time to see that his companions were following him.

"Well, I don't believe he's right," said Mark; "eh, Dean?"

His cousin shook his head.

"I hope he is," said Sir James; "but we are quite at his mercy."

"Yes," said the doctor, "and I don't wonder at all, boys, at your losing your way. I know I should have had to give up."

"It seems so far," said Dean, and he looked enquiringly at their guide, who stood smiling and waiting for them to come on.

At last full proof of the black's accuracy was shown by his stopping short and pointing forward.

"Well, what are you doing that for?" cried Mark, who was next to him.

"Yes, all right, father; there goes one of them."

"I don't see anything," said the doctor, who came next in the single file in which they had pursued their way.

"I did; I saw a face peep round one of the trees and dart back again."

"Are you sure?" said the doctor. "I can make out scarcely anything in this darkness. Ah! Can you see anything now?"

For Mak was smiling at them, and pointing with his spear.

"No," replied Mark; "but we had better go on."

Their guide, however, seemed to differ, and signed to them to stay where they were, and then pa.s.sed out of sight, leaving those he guided looking nervously at one another.

"Well, we shall be in a pretty mess, Master Mark," said Sir James, "if that Day and Martin fellow doesn't come back."

"Oh, he will come back, father," said Mark confidently.

"Yes," said the doctor, "I don't doubt that; only he may lose his way."

"Not likely," said Mark; "eh, Dean?"

"Well," said the latter, speaking rather nervously, "if we were back at the waggon and you said that I should think just as you do, but now we are here again I can't help feeling that nasty nervousness come back.-- Ah!" he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, with a deep sigh of relief, for one minute the little party was anxiously peering about them in the deep gloom, looking for a way in amongst the towering trees, the next their guide had reappeared as if by magic, signing to them to come on. And five minutes later the doctor and Sir James were uttering e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns of wonderment not untinged with nervousness, as they found themselves in the circular opening and in the presence of about a dozen of the pigmies with their bows strung and arrows ready to be sent flying at an enemy. Every now and then too they had a glance at a little shadowy form which glided into sight for a moment and disappeared without a sound.

Meanwhile Mak had walked straight across to one of the little savages and made signs to him and uttered a word or two, as he kept on turning and pointing at the group he had led into the solitude, ending by catching one of the little fellows by the shoulder. Then sticking his spear into the damp earth he went through a pantomime which he intended to suggest that there was a bad wound about the shoulders he pressed, and pointed again and again at the doctor, and then in the direction where the injured pigmy had been left.

"He won't be able to make him understand," said Dean impatiently. "Oh, what a bother it is that we don't know their tongue!"

"I think it's all right," said Mark. "Look here," he continued, as their stalwart black drew the dwarf he held towards his party.

"What does that mean?" said the doctor.